If you are an NCC cadet appearing for the SSB interview, one of the major things you must know about is the rank structure and the NCC equivalent ranks. This is quite important because the Interviewing Officer (IO) takes particular interest in grilling candidates about the same. To avert any confusion at your end, we share the NCC equivalent ranks that each NCC cadet must know of.
How Are NCC Ranks Given?
Before learning about the NCC equivalent ranks, you must be curious to know how these ranks are given in the first place. To be sure, a rank in NCC is basically an appointment which is conferred on a cadet based on their seniority, performance, training and leadership. Just like the tri-services, here too, a cadet has to prove their mettle to earn a rank.
Hence, if you join NCC, you may begin as a regular cadet and, based on your performance and suitability, you may progress through the available appointments. Some of the factors that affect your promotion include:
- Discipline
- Attendance
- Drill
- Leadership
- Participation in camps
- Performance
- Ability to command and coordinate
- Conduct during NCC events
While the process of appointing a cadet to a rank may vary based on their wing, the basis of it remains the same. Therefore, a cadet who showcases the relevant skills often gets promoted in NCC.
Why Should You Know NCC Equivalent Ranks?
You might ask why you must be knowing NCC equivalent ranks when you’re going for an SSB interview. This is especially true for freshers who feel that the personal interview is only limited to their personal experiences. But, this is not how things work at SSB.
To be sure, knowledge of NCC equivalent ranks speaks volumes about you. It tells two major things to the IO: your awareness about NCC as a former cadet and your responses to stressful situations. Therefore, it becomes really important for you to know NCC like the back of your hand, especially if you are appearing for the NCC Special Entry.
Apart from the two reasons mentioned above, this specific knowledge establishes a knowledge of hierarchy as well, because a Sergeant in the Army Wing may not be called the same in the Air or Naval Wing. This is something that only a serious SSB candidate can understand and abide by.
What are the NCC Equivalent Ranks?
Now we come to the NCC equivalent ranks that every NCC cadet must know of. While NCC has two divisions, that is, senior and junior, we have limited ourselves to the senior division because:
- Most candidates who appear for NCC Special Entry were in the senior division only
- The rank structure of senior division is more elaborate
Hence, whether you were a part of the Army, Air, or Naval Wing, you must know these NCC equivalent ranks without fail. You may also go through the insignia for better understanding.
| Army Wing | Naval Wing | Air Wing |
| Senior Under Officer | Senior Cadet Captain | Senior Under Officer |
| Cadet Under Officer | Junior Cadet Captain | Cadet Under Officer |
| Company Quarter Master Sergeant | Petty Officer Sergeant Major | Warrant Officer |
| Sergeant | Leader Cadet | Sergeant |
| Corporal | Cadet Class I | Corporal |
| Lance Corporal | Cadet Class II | Leading Flight Cadet |
| Cadet | Cadet | Cadet |
If you are going to appear for your SSB/AFSB/NSB interview soon, this table of NCC equivalent ranks will really help you. You may note it down and revise it further.
Final Thoughts
The structure of NCC equivalent ranks must not be confused with the equivalent ranks of armed forces. NCC occupies a separate space and trains young men and women to inculcate the spirit of serving the nation in uniform at a young age. This is why knowledge of such ranks becomes important not just from SSB perspective but for general awareness too.
